Williams signs Sergey Sirotkin to 2018 F1 roster

The 22-year-old joins 19-year-old Lance Stroll

Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin will race for the Williams F1 team this season.

The Williams Formula 1 team will partner rookie Sergey Sirotkin with returning driver Lance Stroll for the 2018 season.

In a related move, veteran driver Robert Kubica has been named reserve driver for the oldest privateer team on the grid.

The 22-year-old Russian impressed the team during an Abu Dhabi tire test but is also believed to have brought a check to the organization. However, he also beat Kubica in a head-to-head test during the test before the season finale. Sirotkin, 22, and Stroll, 19, will form the sport’s most inexperienced tandem.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal, said in a press release that the decision to hire one of the two drivers was the result of an extensive driver evaluation process.

"We have taken our time to evaluate all the available options, and I’m confident Lance and Sergey can deliver the best results for the team," Williams said. "The Williams philosophy has always been to promote and develop young talent and Sergey fits right into that ethos. Lance has had a record-breaking debut season, and with a year now under his belt, he will be ready to hit the ground running in 2018. We have a talented driver lineup for 2018, that we are confident will deliver some exciting results for the team."

Sirotkin has spent the past two seasons with Renault as a test and reserve driver. He participated in six Grand Prix practice sessions and two test days with that team before turning laps in a Williams in Abu Dhabi.

"To say I'm happy and proud to join such a famous team like Williams is an understatement," Sirotkin said. "It took a huge amount of work to get where I am, and I'm really happy and thankful to everyone involved."

With a third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he became the youngest ever rookie podium finisher, as well as the youngest front-row starter when he lined up second on the grid for the Italian Grand Prix.

For his part, Stroll said he is excited to welcome Sirotkin to the squad.

"I know Sergey, and I am sure we will very quickly form a close working relationship," Stroll said. "I really enjoyed my rookie season with the team, and there were a number of memorable highlights, on which I'll look to build on in the coming season."